PBS Hawaii celebrates standout moments from the Na Mele: Traditions In Hawaiian Song series - moments that capture the beauty and essence of what Hawaiian music is all about. Featured are knock-out performances by Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa from the Waimea 'Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar special; classic hula by Kanoe Miller and Debbie Nakanelua at the timeless setting of Halekulani's House Without A Key; singer and kumu hula Tony Conjugacion accompanying some of the grand ladies of hula; and Robert Cazimero playing piano and singing with the likes of Emma Veary, Nina Keali'iwahamana, and Marlene Sai. These "chicken skin" moments are sure to warm the hearts of Hawaiian music aficionados and newcomers alike.
NA MELE: TRADITIONS IN HAWAIIAN SONG, was conceived and developed at PBS Hawaii to preserve the extraordinary music of Hawaii performed by some of the Islands best talents in its purest form, live and impromptu.
The tradition of the kupuna, the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next, is at the heart of Hawaiian music. It is an oral tradition, preserving the culture, language and musical vocabulary of the Islands while also allowing new styles to evolve through experimentation. It is a process NA MELE hopes to show and preserve.
Behind the Scenes:
The making of Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song - Tony Conjugacion
